Fremont company settles claims that it underpaid customs fees

SAN FRANCISCO -- A Fremont company recently settled with the federal government on claims that it was underpaying customs fees, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Bizlink Technology Inc., an importer of computer cable assemblies, has agreed to pay $1.2 million to settle claims that it violated federal laws by underpaying customs fees on goods imported from China, federal authorities said Wednesday.

The United States Attorney General's offices claims that, from 2006 through 2008, the company underpaid customs fees on goods imported into the United States from Bizlink International Electronics, a factory in Shenzhen, China.

BTI allegedly obtained one true invoice that company officials paid, and a second invoice falsely stating a lower cost. The false invoices were allegedly used to calculate the customs fees paid on imported goods, resulting in substantial underpayments, official said.

Under the False Claims Act, private citizens can file lawsuits on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the proceeds of a settlement or judgment. In this case, the citizen involved will receive $252,000 as his share of the government's recovery from BTI.